The top 7 energy performance indicators in energy management
What are the relevant energy performance indicators for small and medium-sized companies and why are they so important for the ERP system?
We present the energy performance indicators that interest our customers most.
To this end, we have questioned 20 small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in various sectors. During the survey, energy performance indicator figures were specified whose significance for the company itself was to be assessed.
Overall result of the survey: How important are the following energy performance indicators in your company?
Top seven:
#1 – Energy consumption per machine
#2 – Share of individual installations in total energy consumption
#3 – Energy costs in relation to production costs
#4 – Energy consumption per process
#5 – Share of energy costs in total costs
#6 – Energy consumption per output
#7 – Energy consumption per unit produced
On the one hand, monetary parameters were estimated to be significant, such as energy costs in relation to manufacturing costs (#3 with 3.68 out of 5 points) and energy costs in relation to total costs (#5 with 3.52 points). These energy key figures enable an economic evaluation and are important parameters for controlling.
On the other hand, production-related consumption parameters have a significant significance, such as energy consumption per process (#4 with 3.55 out of 5 points), per output (#6 with 3.48 points) and per unit produced (#7 with 3.40 points). In particular, they allow statements to be made about energy efficiency. For example, a short-term increase in consumption can be attributed to production peaks. Production-related consumption parameters also serve as input for controlling and also help with internal resource planning (Enterprise Resource Planning – ERP). Here, linking the energy management system with the company’s ERP system can prove useful in order to be able to access the relevant production data.
What should be considered when selecting an energy management system?
„Anyone introducing an energy management system today should make sure it’s compatible with their ERP system.“
(Hendrik Klosterkemper, CEO – ENIT Systems)
Interfaces and Integration
The results of the survey show that companies are interested in key energy figures. Plant-specific energy consumption values are considered to be the most important, and production-related and monetary statements are also highly relevant. Here in particular, a bridge to other productivity tools in the company is important, because time-resolved and reliable energy indicators have far more than a purely informative character. Combined with controlling tools and integrated into internal resource planning (ERP systems), they offer additional added value.
Modular and flexible solutions
A further finding from the survey is the different evaluation of the characteristic values and the partly strong dispersion of the results. The diversity of requirements, even from companies in the same industry, can be derived from this. Flexibility is required, also because needs can change over time. Here, modular solutions usually offer the greatest adaptability.
Outlook
The linking of energy recording with controlling and resource planning shows that energy is no longer only of interest to energy consultants and technicians, but is also increasingly finding its way into companies‘ economic and planning considerations. ERP system providers should not oversleep this development.